New to PsA/Need advice
Please bear with my story; any advice is welcome -- from care to treatment to insurance coverage. After almost three decades of pain and fatigue flare-ups, and misdiagnoses of fibrositis, fibromyalgia and Lyme disease, I had a first psoriasis outbreak that covered 80% of my body approximately 3 years ago. After light therapy, it subsided and I have had only tiny patches here and there for the past two years. When my most recent "fibro" flare-up occurred, it continued unabated, with tendonitis symptoms in my right arm, pain in my sacroiliac and spine, and knees. I have none of the so-called tell-tale signs, such as swelling or nail involvement. I found a rheumatologist. After she was careful to eliminate other possible causes through a battery of tests and X-rays, she diagnosed me with PsA, and has prescribed Humira. The other options we discussed were Enbrel and Methotrexate. I am awaiting insurance company approval. I have read everything I could find online, most of which is noncommittal about the best routes to take. I am interested in practical advice, suggestions, recommendations about care, treatment, insurance, etc. Thank you for any help.
Hi,
Sorry that youre not feeling well. Its the worst when youre sick and have to start a new type of med/deal with the insurance company/daily struggles. But i want to tell you first, that it WILL get better! In my personal experience I’ve had this illness for approximately four years diagnosed. I am on a lot of medicine including Humira, SSZ, Mtx, plaquenil and others and this is all the same time. After being on these therapies for about two years I am finally able to hold a job and be an active mother again. I still have flareups, I still have days where I can’t get out of bed, but for the most part my life has improved. I hope that your treatment plan works out well for you and I’m glad that you found this forum because it does hold a lot of advice. Most of the people are helpful, understanding, nice and are willing to answer your questions respectfully. One thing I can tell you is in my experience I did not have psoriasis for at least the first two years. But I do have it now while it is still mild, It does bother me. I thought I was an anomaly because I had PSA and did not have psoriasis however looking back I think I’ve always had psoriasis it was just mild and in places that I wouldn’t think to look, i.e. btwn toes & scalp. I haven’t found a solution for this yet but if I do I will definitely let you know I hope you feel better and that your treatment works out well
